Methods, Systems and Formats for Data, Such as Data Used in Laser Projection of Fasteners Used in Manufacturing

ABSTRACT

A system and method provides data for a laser projection process used in manufacturing involving fasteners. For example, the laser projection process may include projecting a laser image associated with fasteners used to assemble objects. Fastener attribute data may be extracted from an engineer&#39;s design data and processed to generate a laser projection output file. This output file may include geometric data used to project a laser image associated with the fasteners. For example, this image may be an outline indicating the location, shape, and orientation of a fastener. The output file may also include non-geometric data associated with attributes of the objects to be assembled. Both the geometric and the non-geometric data can then be displayed in a user interface, such as a display screen of a laser projector control device, in addition to the display of the laser image in three-dimensional space.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to methods and systems forconfiguring and formatting data, for example, methods and systems forconfiguring and formatting data used in a manufacturing laser projectionprocess.

BACKGROUND

The use of laser projection processes in manufacturing, such asmanufacturing in the aerospace and automotive industries, provides manyadvantages. For example, when multiple components (e.g., airplane parts)are to be assembled together, laser projection techniques can be used todetermine the correct location and orientation of the components to beassembled and to project the corresponding fastener locations directlyon the component surfaces. This allows an assembler to quickly andaccurately locate and drill the fastener holes eliminating the need forspecialized tooling and drilling templates, which, in the past, haveproven to be cumbersome as well as resource intensive.

Typically, laser projection processes involve modeling structuralrequirements with a computer aided design (CAD) tool, such asUnigraphics or CATIA, and then converting some of the geometricinformation generated using this computer-aided design tool into anotherfile format used by the laser projector. For example, when fastenerlocations are to be laser projected, a three-dimensional symbol, such asa crosshair, must be modeled and stored for each fastener location inthe CAD model, which can equate to several thousand locations on atypical aircraft assembly. These three-dimensional symbols are thenconverted into another file format suitable for the laser projector.

While current laser projection techniques have many advantages andvirtually eliminate the need for specialized tooling and drilltemplates, such laser projection techniques have limitations. Forexample, current projection techniques are typically limited toprojecting simple fastener location information (e.g., a point orcrosshair projected onto the part). If a designer wishes to project ordisplay any additional information about the fastener, he or shemanually generates curves or other information in the CAD model, whichis time-consuming and prone to error given the large quantity offasteners on a typical aircraft assembly. Further, no additionalinformation about the fasteners is converted using the current laserprojection software, such as hole size or fastener type. Accordingly,the capabilities of current projection methods are limited by suchsoftware. Moreover because current projection methods are typicallyimplemented such that the non-geometric information about the fastenersis processed separately, it is difficult to ensure configurationcontrol, especially with large and complex manufacturing projects.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward methods and systems forproviding and formatting data used in laser projection, including laserprojection used in parts manufacturing and assembly. A method inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention includes receivingengineering data associated with objects to be assembled (e.g., airplaneparts) using fasteners, extracting fastener attribute data from thereceived engineering data, and processing the extracted fastenerattribute data to generate a laser projection file. In some embodiments,the laser projection file may include geometric data used to project,onto the objects to be assembled, an image associated with thefasteners. The image associated with the fasteners, may includegeometric information associated with a retention feature of thefastener, such as the shape and orientation of a nut element associatedwith the fastener. The laser projection file may also includenon-geometric data associated with the fasteners. The method may furtherinclude outputting the laser projection file to enable the laserprojection of the image as well as displaying the non-geometric dataassociated with the fasteners at a user interface associated withcontrolling the laser projection of images.

In particular embodiments of the invention directed toward theprojection of fastener geometric location and orientation information,the method can further include formatting fastener attribute data forprocessing, where the attribute data may include geometric informationabout the placement of the fasteners with respect to the part or partsto be assembled, geometric information including edge-of-partinformation related to the part or parts to be assembled, andnon-geometric attribute information related to the fasteners.

The method may further include assigning a first set of graphic symbolsto the geometric information about the placement of the fasteners on theoutside of the assembly, assigning a second set of graphic symbols tothe geometric information about the location and orientation of thefasteners and retaining elements, such as nut elements, on the inside ofthe assembly, and mathematically transforming the assigned graphicsymbols in three-dimensional space to produce geometric information fora laser projection output file. In addition, the non-geometric attributeinformation included in the laser projection output file may be sortedbased on the information about attribute names and other information.The non-geometric attribute information may also be used to group theinformation in the laser projection output file.

A system for providing and formatting data used in laser projection inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention includes a computerdesign application for generating a design file having fastenerattribute data associated with a structure to be manufactured, and afile formatting subsystem for extracting the fastener attribute datafrom the design file to generate a laser projection output file,including the laser projection output files described above. Inaddition, the system may include a laser projector and a laser projectorcontroller, which includes an interface component for displaying boththe geometric and the non-geometric data included in the output file.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a representative environment forpracticing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the types of files used forpracticing an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a data structure associated withfastener information that can be used in generating a laser projectionoutput file in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is block diagram illustrating a data structure associated withedge-of-part information that can be used in generating a laserprojection output file in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 is a display diagram illustrating an example of a user interfaceused in association with a laser projection process.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partially schematic downward-looking exploded viewof a part in which fasteners are to be installed using laser projectionin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a display diagram showing laser projectable graphical symbolsassociated with fastener nuts and retaining elements used in anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine for creating a laserprojection output file in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a more detailed routine forcreating a laser projection output file in an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes systems, methods, and formats forproviding and formatting data used in laser projection. The term “data”is used herein in the collective sense to mean a set of one or moredatum. The laser projection technique can be used to manufacture parts,for example, to assemble parts together using fasteners. Certainspecific details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS.1-9 to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of theinvention. Well-known structures, systems and methods often associatedwith laser projection systems and, more generally, computer systems havenot been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe description of the various embodiments of the invention. Those ofordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that additionalembodiments of the present invention may be practiced without several ofthe details described below.

Many embodiments of the invention described below may take the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, including routines executed by aprogrammable computer (e.g., a computer-controlled design process).Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the invention canbe practiced with other computer system configurations as well. Theinvention can be embodied in a special-purpose computer or dataprocessor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed toperform one or more of the computer-executable instructions describedbelow. Accordingly, the term “computer” as generally used herein refersto any data processor and includes Internet appliances, hand-helddevices (including palm-top computers, wearable computers, cellular ormobile phones, multi-processor systems, processor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers and the like).

The invention can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments, where tasks or modules are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules or subroutines may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices. Aspects of theinvention described below may be stored or distributed oncomputer-readable media, including magnetic and optically readable andremovable computer disks, as well as distributed electronically overnetworks. Data structures and transmissions of data particular toaspects of the invention are also encompassed within the scope of theinvention.

I. Representative Environment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a representative environment 100for practicing an embodiment of the invention. The environment 100 caninclude an engineer station 102, a data store 104, a laser projectionfile generation facility 106, an assembler station 108, a laserprojector 110, a laser projector controller 112, laser projectionsoftware 114, and a work space 116.

The engineer station 102 can include a processor 118 and computer aideddrafting (CAD) and/or computer aided modeling (CAM) software application120. The CAD/CAM software application 120 may be configured to allow auser (e.g., design engineer) to create a design master file 122 relatingto a part 124 (or collection of parts). The design master file 122 maybe transferred directly to the laser projection file generation facility106 or may be stored in the data store 104 until the part 124 is readyfor assembly. In some embodiments, the laser projection file generationfacility 106, may access the design master file 122 via a computernetwork (shown as connecting arrows). The laser projection filegeneration facility 106 produces one or more laser projection outputfiles 126 that the laser projector controller 112 uses to instruct thelaser projector 110 to display an appropriate laser image on the part124 in the workspace 116. In addition, the laser projection output files126 may provide output for display at the assembler station 108.

For example, a user interface at the assembler station 108 may displayto a user (e.g., an assembler) attributes originally included in thedesign master file 122. The user can then use this information toperform work on the part 124. FIG. 5 provides an example of a userinterface that may be used for this type of display.

II. Data Structures and Data Format

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the types of files used in thedata formatting process for an embodiment of the invention where laserprojection activities include projecting outlines and other informationrelating to part fasteners. The laser projection activities begin with adesign master file 202 (e.g., generated by a design engineer using adesign tool such as Unigraphics, CATIA or another CAD/CAM-typeapplication). The design master file 202 may specify edge-of-partinformation that relates to part geometry (e.g., points, angles, andlines) that defines parts to be assembled. A laser projector may thenuse this edge-of-part information when projecting a laser image. Thedesign master file 202 may also specify fastener information, which mayinclude, but is not limited to a location of the fastener, a class ofhole in which the fastener is positioned, a fastener diameter, afastener type, a nut element type, and a nut element orientation. Insome embodiments, the design master file 202 is initially generatedbased on a seed file configured in accordance with criteria specified bya facility used to generate laser projection files, such as the laserprojector file generation facility 106 of FIG. 1. The design master file202 can also include calibration point information that allows a laserprojector to be aligned relative to the parts and fasteners inthree-dimensional space.

Data from the design master file 202 may then be exported into one ormore intermediate data files (204, 206, and 208). The intermediate datafiles (which may be text files, XML files, etc.) may be related tofastener information (intermediate data file 204), edge-of-part curveinformation (intermediate data file 206), calibration point information(intermediate data file 208), or a combination of these types ofinformation. In general, the calibration point file 208 providesmultiple targets (e.g., six) used to align laser projections to parts inthree-dimensional space. FIG. 3 provides additional description relatingto the fastener data file 204. FIG. 4 provides additional descriptionrelating to the edge-of-part data file 206.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a laser projection file generation facility,such as the laser projection file generation facility 106 of FIG. 1, mayprocess and reformat the data contained in the data files (204, 206, and208). In some embodiments, the processing may include using macros inMicrosoft Excel and/or other macros implemented in Visual Basic togenerate one or more laser projection output files 210. A commerciallyavailable laser projector controller, such as the laser projectorcontroller 112 of FIG. 1, can then use the laser projection output file210 to project a laser image on a part or parts in a work space. Thelaser projection output file 210 may contain fastener information,edge-of-part curve information, calibration point information, etc.,including non-geometric information (e.g., part names, fastener names,notes, specifications, etc.). In some embodiments, the laser projectorcontroller may upload the laser projection output file 210 directly fromthe laser projection file generation facility. Once the upload of thelaser projection output file 210 is complete, the laser projector canproject a laser image that the assembler can use to properly assemblethe parts.

In some embodiments, non-geometric attribute data from the originaldesign master file 202 is maintained in the laser projector output file210 in addition to the geometric data used for laser projection (e.g.,points, curves, and lines). Accordingly, at the same time the laserimage is being projected onto the part, the assembler can access thenon-geometric attribute information contained in the laser projectionoutput file 210 via a user interface at a nearby assembler stationcomputer (further details of which are described later with reference toFIG. 5). In addition, the laser projection file generation facility maygenerate check files 212 that can be used to verify in the CAD/CAMapplication that the projection output file 210 was generated correctly.

FIG. 3 shows fastener information captured in a data file originatingfrom a design master file, such as the data file 204 and design masterfile 202, respectively, of FIG. 2. As shown, fastener information may beclassified into groups 306, with fastener Cartesian coordinates (X, Y,Z) 302 and fastener Cartesian vectors (I, J, K) 304 generally making upthe geometric contents of groups 306. The projected fastener informationgenerally includes geometric information relating to fastener symbols(such as crosshairs) on outer assembly surfaces, and fastener retaineror plate nut symbols on inner assembly surfaces (described in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 7). However, as shown in the groups306, additional information relating to fasteners may be shown. Examplesof such information include hole number 308, hole diameter 310, fastenertype 328, and fastener number 314. Other information relating tofasteners may include nut name 312, and flag note number(s) 314. Wetinstall information 316, offset information 318, label information 320,cold work required information 322, pierce angle information 324, andsurface information 326 may provide further instructions for installingfasteners. Countersink information 330, grip length information 332 tackrivet information 334, and assembly stack up thickness 336 may also beimported into the laser projection output file. In this way, the laserprojection software interface can display this information to theassembler or another user, in addition to the laser projector projectinga laser image into three-dimensional space.

FIG. 4 shows edge-of-part information captured in an intermediate datafile originating from a design master file such as the intermediate datafile 206 and design master file 202, respectively, of FIG. 2. Theedge-of-part information generally includes a series of point objects(402, 404, and 406) that can be connected in a graph to form a laserprojection image of the edge of a part. For example, the laserprojection output file generated from this information may be used forassembly verification, part location, and fastener edge distancemeasurements.

III. Sample User Interface

FIG. 5 is a display diagram illustrating a typical commerciallyavailable laser projection user interface 500 that is displayed to theassembler on a screen at an assembler station during a laser projectionprocess. In some embodiments, the assembler uses the interface to selectthe projection of one or more desired hole numbers into which fastenerswill be placed. The laser projector then projects the appropriatefastener or nut element symbol for each of these selected holes onto thepart or parts in the work space. FIG. 6 is a partially schematicdownward looking exploded view of an assembly in which fasteners and nutelements are to be installed in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention, and also shows an example of laser projected fastener symbols601 on an outer assembly surface 603, as well as the corresponding laserprojected symbols of oriented nut elements 602 on an inner assemblysurface 604.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the interface 500 may also provide a fastenerdescription box 502, which shows detailed attribute information for eachof the selected hole numbers. In some embodiments, naming conventionsused in the design master file, including custom naming conventions, maybe preserved during the output file generation process, and may thus bedisplayed in the description box 502. In some embodiments, the assemblercan choose to have some of the information shown in the description boxprojected onto the part, along with the fastener or nut element symbol602 or other geometric information. In addition, the interface 500 mayinclude a laser view portion 506 that can be used to display laserprojected geometry 504.

Some fasteners, such as floating anchor/plate nuts, include a nutelement feature that comprises a flat or U-shaped channel of sheet metalthat, for example, allows the fastener to be riveted or clinched onto apart (in addition to the fastener). Parts manufacturers may usefasteners having several different types of nut elements (or similarretention features), with each type having its own configuration andshape. In addition, many nut elements are not symmetrical. Accordingly,engineer design specifications often include specific instructions onthe placement and orientation of fasteners that include nut elements,especially where spacing between fasteners is limited. In some cases, itis possible to present such instructions geometrically, which makes themsuitable for laser projection.

FIG. 7 is a display diagram showing sample geometries for a series offastener configurations that may be used in some embodiments. In theillustrated embodiment, the laser projector may project the fastenergeometry, which can then be used to guide the assembler in correctlylocating and orienting that fastener or retention feature. Accordingly,the laser projection system may be configured to process fastenerspecifications contained in master design files and to generate acorresponding fastener graphic symbol (e.g., symbol 702, symbol 704,symbol 706, symbol 708, symbol 710, symbol 712, etc.)

As illustrated, each symbol may approximate the shape of extremities ofthe fastener or retention feature. For example, symbol 702 correspondsto plate nuts having attaching lugs on two sides of the fastener orretention feature. In addition, each symbol may be associated with a setof fastener types that are of similar configuration, but different partnumbers.

IV. Representative Flows

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow diagrams illustrating routines involved ingenerating laser projection files in one embodiment of the invention. Amore general routine 800 for generating laser projection output files isdisplayed in FIG. 8. At block 801, a design master file (e.g., CAD file)is retrieved from an engineering data store 820. The design master filemay contain attribute data (e.g., attributes of a part or fastener forwhich laser projection data is to be generated). The attribute data mayinclude numeric data that can be used to geometrically define objectsfor use in a laser projection process. The attribute data may alsoinclude other data that can be used in association with the laserprojection process, such as non-geometrical information about a fasteneror part.

At block 802, the routine 800 extracts the geometric and non-geometricattribute data from the design master file. At block 803, the routine800 processes the attribute data so that it can be used in the laserprojection process, either as geometric data for laser projection, or asnon-geometric data presented at an interface associated with the laserprojector. An example of a subroutine for processing attribute data forfastener laser projection is described below with respect to FIG. 9.

At block 804, the routine 800 performs verification on the processeddata. At decision block 805, if the processed data is successfullyverified, the routine 800 continues at block 806, where the data isformatted into the form of a laser projection output file. If atdecision block 805, the data verification is not successful, the routine800 continues at block 807, where the original design master file (e.g.,CAD file) is updated (either manually or automatically) to correcterrors that resulted in the unsuccessful validation. The routine 800then loops back to block 801, to retrieve the updated design master file(e.g., CAD file).

Referring to FIG. 9, a subroutine 900 for processing fastener attributedata (e.g., block 803 of FIG. 8) is shown. At block 901 the routine 900formats extracted fastener attribute data for processing. The extractedfastener attribute data may include the pertinent information from thedesign master file, which is then placed into a standard format forfurther processing. At block 902, the routine 900 assigns graphicsymbols to fastener attribute data. For example, the routine may assigncrosshair geometry to outer assembly surface point locations and/orassign standard nut plate geometry to inner assembly surface pointlocations. The geometry may be ordered sets of X, Y, Z point data. Insome embodiments, the laser projector uses this information to create animage by tracing lines between the X, Y, Z points in space. At block903, the routine 900 transforms the graphic symbols of block 902 inthree-dimensional space. For example, the routine 900 may transformcrosshair and nut plate geometry to the correct X, Y, Z point data andperform calculations that allow the resulting laser image to be rotatedto a correct orientation relative to local X, Y, Z axes. In someembodiments, the basic X, Y, Z coordinates and I, J, K rotation vectorsfrom the outer and inner assembly surface locations are part of theextracted data from the design master output file.

At block 904, the routine 900 sorts fastener data based on formattednames. For example routine 900 may sort the newly formatted data byfastener number, fastener diameter, or any other fastener attribute thatmay be helpful in the manufacturing process. In addition, this allowsthe output file information to retain naming conventions used in theoriginal design master file. At block 905, the routine 900 groups datato facilitate output file navigation. For example, the laser projectiongeneration facility may automatically group fasteners into groups of tento facilitate projector file navigation and laser projector resolution.This may also enable the reduction of laser “flash,” which typicallyoccurs when the laser projector attempts to project too much geometry atone time.

At block 906, the routine formats processed data for output. Forexample, once the data are sorted or grouped, the routine 900 may formatthe fastener attribute information and geometry (i.e., X, Y, Zcoordinates) into a special ASCII file for output to the laserprojection controller. In some embodiments, the routine 900 can outputdata for outer assembly surface fastener crosshair locations,CAD-oriented inner assembly surface nut plate locations, or acombination of the oriented inner assembly surface nut plate locationswith the corresponding edge-of-part curves for checking proper locationof mating parts and fastener edge distance. In some embodiments, thesubroutine 900 described above, may also handle the processing offastener data to produce information that generates a laser projectedimage of a graphical symbol representing a fastener or retentionelement, such as those shown and described with respect to FIG. 7.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration,but that various modifications may be made without deviating from thespirit and scope of the invention. For example, aspects of the inventiondescribed in the context of particular embodiments may be combined oreliminated in other embodiments. Although advantages associated withcertain embodiments of the invention have been described in the contextof those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit suchadvantages. Additionally, none of the foregoing embodiments neednecessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by theappended claims.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A method for processing information related toattributes of a fastener for fastening parts, wherein the processedinformation is provided as input to control a laser projector, andwherein the laser projector is configured to facilitate the applicationof the fastener to a part by displaying an outline of the fastener ontothe part, the method comprising: formatting attribute information forprocessing, wherein the attribute information is extracted from a filecreated using an engineering design application, and wherein theattribute information includes: first geometric information includingedge-of-part information related to a geometry of the part, secondgeometric information relating to a placement of the fastener withrespect to the part, wherein the fastener includes a retention feature,third geometric information relating to an orientation of the retentionfeature with respect to the part, and non-geometric attributeinformation related to the fastener, wherein the non-geometric attributeinformation includes information about a name or number associated withthe fastener and textual information associated with the application ofthe fastener; and generating a laser projection output file based on theattribute information, wherein the laser projection output fileincludes, the first geometric information, the second geometricinformation, the third geometric information, and the non-geometricattribute information, and wherein generation of the laser projectionoutput file includes: assigning a first set of graphic symbols to thesecond geometric information; assigning a second set of graphic symbolsto the third geometric information; mathematically transforming theassigned first and second graphic symbols in three-dimensional space;sorting the non-geometric attribute information; and grouping thenon-geometric attribute information to facilitate output file navigationat a user interface.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the output filecontains information relating to multiple fasteners, and wherein thesorting of the non-geometric attribute information includes sorting byfastener name.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the output filecontains information relating to multiple fasteners, and wherein thesorting of the non-geometric attribute information includes sorting byfastener number.
 13. A method for processing information related toattributes of one or more fasteners, wherein the processed informationis provided as input to control a laser projector, and wherein the laserprojector is configured to facilitate the application of the one or morefasteners to an object by displaying an outline of the fastener onto theobject, the method comprising: formatting attribute data for processing,wherein the attribute data includes: first geometric informationrelating to a location for placing the one or more fasteners withrespect to the object, second geometric information includingedge-of-part information related to the object, and non-geometricattribute information related to the one or more fasteners; generatingan output file based on the attribute data, wherein the output fileincludes the first geometric information, the second geometricinformation, and the non-geometric attribute information, and whereinthe generating of the output file comprises: assigning a first set ofgraphic symbols to the first geometric information wherein the first setof graphic symbols relate to placement of the one or more fasteners;mathematically transforming the assigned graphic symbols inthree-dimensional space; extracting non-geometric attribute informationfrom the attribute data; formatting the non-geometric attributeinformation for display at a user interface; and grouping thenon-geometric attribute information to facilitate output filenavigation.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein at least some of the oneor more fasteners include a retention feature, and wherein an indicationof the retention feature is displayable as a laser projected image usinga graphical symbol based on the geometric information about theplacement of one or more fasteners with respect to the object.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising verifying the non-geometricattribute information.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdisplaying the non-geometric attribute information at a user interfaceassociated with controlling the display of the laser projector.
 17. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the grouping includes generating groupsconsisting of a set number of fasteners.
 18. A laser projection systemfor use in manufacturing, the system comprising: a computer designapplication for generating a design file having attribute dataassociated with a structure to be manufactured using fasteners, thestructure comprising a collection of one or more parts; a fileformatting subsystem for extracting the attribute data from the designfile to generate an output file, wherein the output file includes:geometric data used to project a laser image representing at least oneof the fasteners, wherein the geometric data is based on the designfiles, and wherein the laser image is projected into three-dimensionalspace; and non-geometric data associated with at least one of thefasteners, wherein the non-geometric data is based on the design files;and an interface component for displaying the non-geometric dataassociated with the structure to be manufactured and for controlling thelaser projection of the laser image.
 19. The method of claim 18 whereinthe non-geometric attribute data includes information relating to a holenumber associated with a fastener.
 20. The method of claim 18 whereinthe non-geometric attribute data includes information relating to a holediameter associated with a fastener.
 21. The method of claim 18 whereinthe non-geometric attribute data includes information relating to a holetype associated with a fastener.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein thenon-geometric attribute data includes fastener information relating to ahole tolerance associated with a fastener.
 23. The method of claim 18wherein the non-geometric attribute data includes information relatingto a fastener type.
 24. The method of claim 18 wherein the non-geometricattribute data includes information relating to a fastener retentionfeature.
 25. The method of claim 18 wherein the non-geometric attributedata includes information relating to an assembly note.
 26. The methodof claim 18 wherein the non-geometric attribute data includesinformation relating to whether a fastener should be installed using awet installation technique.
 27. The system of claim 18 wherein at leastsome of the parts of the collection of parts are to be fastened togetherusing a fastener, and wherein the laser projection of the image is anindication of a placement for the fastener.
 28. The system of claim 18wherein at least some of the parts of the collection of parts are to befastened together using a fastener, wherein the fastener includes aretention feature, and wherein the laser projection of the image is anindication of the orientation of the retention feature.
 29. The systemof claim 18 wherein the interface component further includes a laserprojected geometry display area for displaying a geometric indicationassociated with a selected attribute.
 30. The system of claim 18,further comprising a laser projector controller for receiving laserprojection files generated by the file formatting subsystem and forreceiving user commands to control the laser projection of the image viathe interface component.
 31. A computer-readable medium containing adata structure, the data structure comprising: geometric informationused to project a laser image associated with fasteners used inassembling a part or parts, wherein the geometric data is based onengineering data contained in a file generated using an engineeringdesign application, wherein the laser image includes geometry relatingto an orientation of a retention feature associated with the one or morefasteners, and wherein the geometry relating to the orientation of theretention features is automatically generated based on the extractedfastener attribute data; and non-geometric data associated with thefasteners, wherein the non-geometric data is based on the engineeringdata, and wherein the non-geometric data is displayed in a userinterface associated with controlling projection of the laser image. 32.The computer-readable medium of claim 31 wherein the geometricinformation includes information for projecting a first laser imageassociated with the part or parts and a second laser image associatedwith the part or parts.
 33. The computer-readable medium of claim 31wherein the computer-readable medium includes a memory of a laserprojector controller.
 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 31wherein the computer-readable medium includes a logical node in acomputer network receiving the contents.
 35. The computer-readablemedium of claim 31 wherein the computer-readable medium includes acomputer-readable disk.
 36. The computer-readable medium of claim 31wherein the computer-readable medium includes a data transmission mediumcarrying a generated data signal containing the contents.
 37. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 31 wherein the computer-readablemedium includes a memory of a computer system.
 38. A system forproviding data for a laser projection process used in manufacturing,wherein the laser projection process includes projecting a laser imageassociated with objects to be assembled, the method comprising: meansfor receiving engineering data associated with the objects to beassembled; means for extracting attribute data from the receivedengineering data; means for processing the extracted attribute data togenerate a laser projection output file, wherein the laser projectionoutput file includes: geometric data used to project a laser imageassociated with the objects to be assembled, wherein the geometric datais based on the received engineering data, and wherein the laser imageis projected into three-dimensional space, and non-geometric dataassociated with the objects to be assembled, wherein the non-geometricdata is based on the engineering data; means for outputting the laserprojection output file to enable the projection of the laser image; andmeans for displaying the non-geometric data associated with the objectsto be assembled.
 39. The system of claim 38 wherein the geometric dataincludes information relating to orientation of a nut plate elementassociated with a fastener.
 40. The system of claim 38 wherein the meansfor displaying is associated with a user interface configured forcontrolling the projection of the laser image.
 41. A method for handlingdata used to generate a laser projected image used in partsmanufacturing involving the use of fasteners, the method comprising:extracting raw data from a master data file produced using anengineering design application, wherein the raw data includesedge-of-part information, fastener information, and calibration pointinformation; and based on the extracted raw data, generating a laserprojection output file, wherein the laser projection output fileincludes: geometric information used to project a laser image associatedwith at least one fastener, wherein the laser image is projected intothree-dimensional space, and non-geometric data associated with the atleast one fastener.
 42. The method of claim 41 wherein the generating ofa laser projection output file includes using macros in a spreadsheetapplication containing an instance of the raw data.
 43. The method ofclaim 41 wherein the master data file identifies fastener specificationsusing a naming convention, and wherein the custom naming convention ispreserved in the non-geometric data of the output file.
 44. The methodof claim 41, further comprising displaying the non-geometric data in adisplay area of a user interface component associated with a laserprojection control device.
 45. The method of claim 41, furthercomprising generating a check file based on the master data file,wherein the check file allows a user to verify the accuracy of an imageprojected based on the laser projection output file.